Xabi Alonso is convinced former team-mate Thiago Alcantara will repeat his Bayern Munich success with Liverpool.
Thiago is closing on a return to fitness from a knee injury that has limited him to just 135 minutes since moving to the Premier League and world champions in September.
Alonso, who won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005, played alongside his compatriot in midfield for both Bayern and Spain.
And the Reds legend has explained why he believes Thiago will waste no time in complementing Jurgen Klopp's side.
"I have loved watching Thiago Alcantara, the way he has been able to connect with the attacking players, helping to defend with his special qualities," said Alonso.
"He’s a great friend, but above that, he’s become one of the best midfielders. And he’s a fabulous, intelligent, interesting, fun guy to be around in a training session and a dressing room.
"He loves football; he shows that with his personality and with the way he plays. He’s able to connect with his team-mates very easily.
"He’s done it fantastically at Bayern, and I feel that he’s going to do it in the same way at Liverpool, and I love it."
Alonso, who is now coach of the Real Sociedad second team, also named Thiago alongside Steven Gerrard as one of the best midfielders he played alongside.
"I was a team player; in the middle of the park, trying to give options to my team-mates; to help the defenders, to help the attackers," he said, speaking to UEFA.com.
"I was not the quickest, but I was trying to anticipate what was going to happen.
"I had the great privilege to play with some of the best midfielders in the world: Stevie G, Luka Modric, Iniesta, Xavi, Thiago, Philipp Lahm.
"I would love to have played with Zinedine Zidane. All his moves were so smooth, so coordinated, so controlled, like watching Federer play tennis. It was like a ballet dancer playing football, and we were all running around behind the ball."
